Mahanadi Row: Chhattisgarh using funds from industries to construct barrages

Bhubaneswar: The Chhattisgarh government is accepting funds from industrial units to construct barrages on the upper catchment of river Mahanadi.

Chhattisgarh State Commercial Tax and Industry Minister Amar Agrawal gave this controversial remark here on Wednesday triggering a storm.

Attending the Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas programme organised by the BJP in Burla, the minister said water cess has been collected from these industrial units for 15 years in advance and the money has been used for construction of three to four barrages in the state.

Besides, he also recommended that the Odisha government should form an expert committee to review as to why the water level of Mahanadi is decreasing by the day. However, no reaction had been received from the BJD in this regard.